Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-04
CITY AND DISTRICT.
THE GERMAN HARVEST FESTIVAL.
A Gay Scene at the Washington Park
q Tall Fruit Column and q Wonderful
mill.

symmetrical column 30 feet high stood near
the entrance OF Washington Park, East Washing
ton, last evening. This column was made of fruits
OF the earth, the humble beet and onion, luscious
oranges golden sQuaShes, apples OF varied hues,
ears OF corn and other fruits and vegetables being
used effectively in constructing the tall
shaft. The top was crowned with Ger
man and an American flag and at its
base was neatly decorated platform, with
figures OF youths bearing upon their heads trays
filled with fruits. The occasion was the opening
of.the fourth annual Cannstatter volksfest. This
annual festival corresponds with an English Har
vest Home sort Of thanksgiving festival in which
the gratitude OF the people for the bounties OF
earth IS expressed in merrymaking. The park
presented very attractive and picturesque APP
pearance Long lines Of flags and streamers were
stretched from tree to tree and night the whole
was Illuminated with myriad of Chinese lanterns
hundreds of people who Lhronged the park,
ma1denS att1red in German peasant costume and
to OWE array tea ao9@ out anH
1rut column was the work OF the president of the
verein: Mr. c: N. Schickler, who received many
afternoon the festival, which is to continue three
DAYS, was formally opened with addresses by Rev.
W: L. Elterich and Mr. schicker Then the fes-
for the dances. The young people took part in
games and all the park rang with music, song,
pnSon Was the esenag ee d o
Germania Maennerchor were present and
sang several times during the evening. There were
many visitors, large proportion being Amer-
cans. Many German families attended In body,
from the grandfather and grandmother down to
the infant in arms, and all seemed to enter with
zeSt into the pleasures OF the hour. Small boys
carrying trays were kept very busy. The trays
were not filled with fruit like those supported on
the heads OF the NEUROLOGICAL figures at the base
or the fruit column but were laden with rOam1ng
glasses OF beer. An attraction announced for the
evening was "The Old Womens MILL" an institu-
ton which 1t was said would reverse the fate OF
'She" and make old women young again. Many
persons waited with eager interest until O'Clock,
the hour for this performance to witness
the process OF rejuyenation, but were doomed to
disappointment. When STAR reporter inquired
among committeeman for the mill. the reply
usually made was knowing smile One OF the
committee, however, informed a STAR reporter
that there had not been time yesterday to haul
the mill to the park and set it up 1t would, how
ever, he said, be set up to-day. The mill is large
covered frame. The old women pass into hopper
on one side. The mill is turned; then old clothes,
walking sticks, crutches, ana other appurtenances
OF old age fly out in one direction, and in another
the old women emerge, rosy and dimpled damseis,
with laughing faces and bright eyes. 1t is sus-
pected that the young women are FIRST put through
a mill by costumer, which makes them old tor
the occasion.